Combustible Dust an Explosive Issue · • Combustible Dust Exposure Leads to Georgia Company's $55,250 Fine • February 2011 –OSHA has cited Protech Environmental South Inc.,

Combustible Dust…

an Explosive Issue

CBIA Wellness Health and Safety Conference

March 31, 2011

Presented by

Jamison [email protected]

www.airhand.com

More info on combustible dust: http://www.airhand.com/combustibledust.asp

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.airhand.com/

http://www.airhand.com/combustibledust.asp

Combustible Dust

Topics Covered:

• What is It?• Sawdust Cannon - http://www.vimeo.com/260680

• Myth busters - Creamer Cannon - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yRw4ZRqmxOc&NR=1

• Powdered Milk Container - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-yMOujZMXP8&feature=fvwrel

• Flour Dust - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zKMPC2l80NU&feature=related

• Who’s in Charge?

• Can it Happen in My Facility?

• Prevention

Air Handling Systems - Copyright 2011

For informational use only

http://www.vimeo.com/260680

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yRw4ZRqmxOc&NR=1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-yMOujZMXP8&feature=fvwrel



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zKMPC2l80NU&feature=related

What is It – OSHA Fact Sheet



Combustible dusts are fine

particles that present an

explosion hazard when

suspended in air in certain

conditions. Source: OSHA Fact Sheet.

What is It – OSHA List



What is It – Classic Fire Triangle

Fuel (combustible dust)

Ignition(heat, spark)

Oxygen(air)

Remove any one

element

eliminates the

possibility of fire.



What is It - Dust Explosion Pentagon

Fuel - fire(combustible dust)

Ignition - fire(heat, spark)

Oxygen - fire(air)

Dispersion (explosion)

(Dust Suspension)Confinement (explosion)

Remove any one

element prevents

explosion, but not

necessarily fire!*

*the concentration of suspended dust must be

within an explosible range, lowest amount of

dust in air that will explode, referred to as

Minimum Explosible Concentration (MEC) – (1)



What is It – Particles & Layer

Combustible Fine Particles– Deflagrable Wood Dust 420 micons (.425 mm, 425 um

micrometers, .0165”) or smaller (having moisture content of less

than 25%). Material that will pass through U.S. No. 40 Standard

Sieve. Size of fairly coarse sand. However will most likely

change in 2013.

“Dust Layer depth 1/64 in. (0.4mm) or less or the

underlying surface colors are readily

discernible.” Revised per NFPA 654 6.1.1.1 TIA March 21, 2011



What is It – Primary & Secondary

Primary Issues

• Explosion

Secondary Issues

• Disturbing of dust on structural supports

can create a secondary source of fuel

• Video Clip: (3:20-5:28) http://www.chemsafety.gov/videoroom/detail.aspx?VID=33



http://www.chemsafety.gov/videoroom/detail.aspx?VID=33

Who’s in charge

Regulatory Organizations & Agencies• OSHA - Occupational Safety and Health Administration

• July 2005 - Combustible Dust in Industry: Preventing and Mitigating the Effects of Fire and Explosions

• February 2008 – Imperial Sugar, dust explosion and subsequent fire at a sugar refinery in Port Wentworth, Georgia,

caused 14 deaths and left many others seriously injured.

• March 2008 - Hazard Alert: Combustible Dust Explosions. OSHA Fact Sheet

• April 2008 – See Congress below

• Spring 2009 - The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is considering rulemaking to develop a

combustible dust standard for general industry.

• 2009 - Hazard Communication Guidance for Combustible Dust OSHA 3371-08 2009

• October 21, 2009 - Combustible Dust ANPR

• October 2009 – Status Report on Combustible Dust National Emphasis Program

• Congress• 110th Congress - April 2008 - The House passes the Worker Protection Against Combustible Dust Explosion and Fire

Act, H.R. 5522 by a vote of 247-165 and referred to the Senate.

• 111th Congress - H.R. 849 - Worker Protection Against Combustible Dust Explosions and Fires Act of 2009. Same as

H.R. 5522 from 110th Congress. Status: Referred to Committee.

• 112th Congress – U.S. Rep. John Barrow from Georgia reintroduced “Worker Protection Against Combustible Dust

Explosions and Fires Act” in the House in February, 2011



http://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/eAgendaViewRule?pubId=200904&RIN=1218-AC41

http://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/eAgendaViewRule?pubId=200904&RIN=1218-AC41

Who’s in charge

Regulatory Organizations & Agencies• SBA - U.S. Small Business Administration's (SBA) Office of

Advocacy• Early 2011 OSHA was exploring creation of SBREFA for April 2011 (Small Business Regulatory

Enforcement Fairness Act) requiring OSHA to convene a task force of small business to review effects of

OSHA regulations. However per contact with SBA in March 2011 – speaking on condition of anonymity SBA

contact said OSHA is rethinking priorities and he is working on getting clarity.

• NFPA – National Fire Protection Association (Current Edition noted)• NFPA 68 Standard on Explosion Protection by Deflagration Venting. (2007 Edition)

• NFPA 484 Standard for Combustible Metals (2009 Edition)

• NFPA 654 Standard for the Prevention of Fire and Dust Explosions from the Manufacturing, Processing, and Handling

of Combustible Particulate Solids. (2006 Edition)

• NFPA 664 Standard for the Prevention of Fires and Explosions on Wood Processing and Woodworking Facilities

(2007 Edition)

• Insurance Companies• FM Global - Prevention and mitigation of combustible dust



Who’s REALLY in charge

Sugar Refinery Ignored Explosive Dust Before BlastSeptember 25, 2009 by Rruss Bynum, Associated Press Writer

http://www.impomag.com/scripts/ShowPR.asp?RID=11927&CommonCount=0



http://www.impomag.com/scripts/ShowPR.asp?RID=11927&CommonCount=0

Can it Happen?

(2) www.woodchuckles.com

http://www.woodchuckles.com/

Can it Happen - ExplosionExplosion• 2008 Georgia sugar refinery explosion

The 2008 Georgia sugar refinery explosion was an industrial disaster that occurred on February 7, 2008 in Port Wentworth, Georgia, United States. Thirteen people were killed and 42 injured when a dust explosion occurred at a sugar refinery owned by Imperial Sugar. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2008_Georgia_sugar_refinery_explosion

• Combustible Dust Explosion at Motorcycle Rim Manufactured Factory November 2010 - 8 workers were injured as a result of the dust explosion and 2 of them received serious injuries. The explosion also caused damage to buildings and manufacturing plant, the destruction of the dust collector

system and also broke windows of factories nearby.http://www.dosh.gov.my/doshV2/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=295%3Acombustible-dust-explosion-at-motorcycle-rim-manufactured-factory&Itemid=118&lang=en



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2008_Georgia_sugar_refinery_explosion

http://www.dosh.gov.my/doshV2/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=295%3Acombustible-dust-explosion-at-motorcycle-rim-manufactured-factory&Itemid=118&lang=en
















Can it Happen – Inspection OSHA Inspection• OSHA: Carolina Skiff cited for combustible dust and hexavalent

chromium exposure - $95,000• March 22, 2011 - US Department of Labor's OSHA fines Waycross, Ga., manufacturer more than $95,000 for safety and health violations • http://www.mmdnewswire.com/carolina-skiff-32950.html

• Mississippi mill slapped with ComDust violations - $67,800• February 2011 - SILVER CREEK, MS -- The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited a Mississippi lumber mill for a variety of violations, including for

having an electrical junction box open in an area where combustible wood dust accumulates. OSHA cited Joe N. Miles & Sons Inc. of Silver Creek with 19 willful and serious safety violations and associated proposed penalties totaling $67,800.

• http://woodworkingnetwork.com/Mississippi-mill-slapped-with-ComDust-violations/2011-02-19/Article.aspx?oid=1308526&fid=WWN-ARTICLES&aid=79

• Combustible Dust Exposure Leads to Georgia Company's $55,250 Fine

• February 2011 – OSHA has cited Protech Environmental South Inc., doing business as U.S. Erosion Control Products Inc., following an inspection that uncovered 46 alleged safety and health hazards including worker exposure to heavy accumulations of combustible dust. Proposed penalties total $55,250.

• http://ohsonline.com/articles/2011/02/10/combustible-dust-exposure-leads-to-georgia-companys-55250-fine.aspx

• US Department of Labor's OSHA cites 2 Tuscumbia, Ala., companies for 40 safety and health violations with $121,800 in penalties

• February 2011 – TUSCUMBIA, Ala. – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration is proposing $121,800 in penalties for 40 safety and health violations at two Tuscumbia companies with shared family ownership, Tri-Cities Manufacturing Inc. and Tool Masters Inc.

• Connecticut plant faces fines for fire and explosion hazards - of $90,500 in proposed fines

• February 2010- The manufacturer of composite manhole covers faces a total of $90,500 in proposed fines, chiefly for potential fire and explosion hazards.

• http://www.reliableplant.com/Read/22458/Connecticut-plant-faces-fines



http://www.mmdnewswire.com/carolina-skiff-32950.html





http://woodworkingnetwork.com/Mississippi-mill-slapped-with-ComDust-violations/2011-02-19/Article.aspx?oid=1308526&fid=WWN-ARTICLES&aid=79


















http://ohsonline.com/articles/2011/02/10/combustible-dust-exposure-leads-to-georgia-companys-55250-fine.aspx

















http://www.reliableplant.com/Read/22458/Connecticut-plant-faces-fines







PreventionCurrently OSHA has• National Emphasis Program (NEP)

• Using General Duty Clause

• Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPR). ANPR is basically data collect from a series of questions. You will note there is overlap in the various sections. However, “Preparation is the best medicine.” Highlights include:• Hazard Recognition/Assessment

• Engineering Controls

• Administrative Controls – Document, Document, Document

• Housekeeping

• Building Design

• Explosion Protection

• Operating Procedures

• Worker Training

Source OSHA ANPR



Prevention - Hazard Assessment

Hazard Recognition/Assessment• Recognition/Assessment

• Determining if dust is combustible via Dust Testing -Explosion Severity Test, Minimum Explosible Concentration (MEC)

• Communication• HazCom Standard, MSDS

• Industry Standards• NFPA

• State and Local Codes• AHJ (Authority Having Jurisdiction) – Fire Marshall, Building

Inspector

• Insurance Company

Source OSHA ANPR



Prevention – Engineering Controls

Engineering Controls

• Fixed measures that are built into a facility

or processing equipment to remove or

minimize hazard.

• Primary (building, facility)

• Prevent accumulation of dust on surfaces, beams,

etc. Flat surfaces are not good.

• Secondary (equipment)

• Dust Collection Systems

• Sprinkler systemSource OSHA ANPR



Prevention – Admin Controls

Administrative Controls

• Document, Document, Document

• Do you have a method to prevent escape

of dust?

• Do you have a policy to remove fugitive

dust from surfaces?

• OSHA wants written rules and procedures

• Document, Document, Document

Source OSHA ANPR



Prevention - HousekeepingHousekeeping• Fugitive Dust Control (NFPA 654, Chapter 8)

• Dust layers as thin as 1/64 of an inch or less or the underlying surface colors are NOT readily discernible. If you can see dust, don’t ignore it!

• Clean it up and examine where it’s coming from. Seal all openings in processing and conveying equipment to prevent the release of dust.

• When you inspect your workplace also consider overhead beams, electrical cabletrays, lighting fixtures, and “invisible” areas such as areas above false or suspended ceilings. – Source NFPA http://www.nfpa.org/publicJournalDetail.asp?categoryID=1691&itemID=40964&src=NFPAJournal



http://www.nfpa.org/publicJournalDetail.asp?categoryID=1691&itemID=40964&src=NFPAJournal

Prevention – Housekeeping

Housekeeping (cont.)• Dust Collectors – Clean it Up!

• NFPA 664 (combustible dust standard just for woodworking) applies to shops larger than 5,000 sq ft or collector greater than 1500 cfm) Essential in any size shop

• So when it comes to Combustible Dust - Size of shop doesn’t matter, size of dust does.

• Changing filters, bags, tightening clamps.

• Explosion Relief – Deflagration Venting• NFPA 68 Example: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=af4IANnITeM&NR=1



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=af4IANnITeM&NR=1

Prevention – Housekeeping

Housekeeping (cont.)• Dust Collectors – Clean it Up! (cont.)

• Hanging Air Filter for ambient dust.

• DO NOT blowing off machinery to clean

• Shop Vacuum or Vacuum Kit which attaches to your dust system for everything else.

• Using explosion proof vacuum?

• Sprinklers – Test, Test, Test• Building

• Spark Detection system in Dust Collectors and Ductwork



Prevention – Finally

• Building Design

• Explosion Protection

• Operating Procedures

• Worker Training• Do the worker know what to do?

• Have they read the operating procedures?

• Do they understand?

• Have they been tested?





Hot off the Press

NFPA

• March 21, 2011 – TIA (Tentative Interim

Amendment) to NFPA 654

• March 25, 2011 – Report on Consolidation of

the Combustible Dust Committees and

Documents

ResourcesOSHA – Occupational Safety & Health Administration - http://www.osha.gov/

• Combustible Dust: http://www.osha.gov/dsg/combustibledust/index.html

• OSHA Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking: http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-25075.pdf

Congress - http://thomas.loc.gov/

NFPA - http://www.nfpa.org• NFPA 68: Standard on Explosion Protection by Deflagration Venting

• http://www.nfpa.org/aboutthecodes/AboutTheCodes.asp?DocNum=68

• NFPA 654: Standard for the Prevention of Fire and Dust Explosions from the Manufacturing, Processing,

and Handling of Combustible Particulate Solids• http://www.nfpa.org/aboutthecodes/AboutTheCodes.asp?DocNum=654

• NFPA 664: Standard for the Prevention of Fires and Explosions in Wood Processing and Woodworking

Facilities• http://www.nfpa.org/aboutthecodes/AboutTheCodes.asp?DocNum=664

US Chemical Safety Board - http://www.chemsafety.gov/• Imperial Sugar Company Dust Explosion and Fire

• http://www.chemsafety.gov/investigations/detail.aspx?SID=6



http://www.osha.gov/

http://www.osha.gov/dsg/combustibledust/index.html

http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-25075.pdf



http://thomas.loc.gov/

http://www.nfpa.org/

http://www.nfpa.org/aboutthecodes/AboutTheCodes.asp?DocNum=68



http://www.chemsafety.gov/

http://www.chemsafety.gov/investigations/detail.aspx?SID=6

ResourcesInsurance Company - http://www.fmglobal.com (registration required)

• Loss Prevention Data Sheet 7-73, Dust Collectors and Collection Systems

• Loss Prevention Data Sheet 7-76, Prevention and Mitigation of Combustible Dust Explosions and Fires

Combustible Dust Policy Institute• http://dustexplosions.blogspot.com/

Linkedin - The Combustible Dust Forum• http://www.linkedin.com/groups?gid=946657&trk=myg_ugrp_ovr

Building Code Reference Library• http://www.reedconstructiondata.com/building-codes



http://www.fmglobal.com/

http://dustexplosions.blogspot.com/

http://www.linkedin.com/groups?gid=946657&trk=myg_ugrp_ovr

http://www.reedconstructiondata.com/building-codes





Questions & Summary

Jamison Scott

[email protected]

www.airhand.com

More info on combustible dust:


mailto:[email protected]

http://www.airhand.com/


Appendix ACombustible Dust in Industry: Preventing and Mitigating the Effects of Fire and Explosions



Appendix BHazard Alert: Combustible Dust Explosions. OSHA Fact Sheet, (2008, March)



Appendix CHazard Communication Guidance for Combustible Dusts OSHA 3371-08 2009



Appendix DOSHA ANPR



Appendix EStatus Report on Combustible Dust National Emphasis Program



Appendix FFM Global – an Insurer’s View

